The History of Keeping Abreast
Jackie Stephen, founder of Keeping Abreast was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) breast cancer in January 2007. A few short weeks later, her mastectomy and reconstructive surgery were performed on the same day. Her reaction, “My breast reconstruction surgery made the difference between “surviving” and “thriving” after breast cancer! I still look like me, feel like me, and can sometimes even forget I had cancer. This surgery is an extraordinary gift for women with breast cancer.”
Dr. Ethel MacIntosh and Dr. Ed Buchel of the Health Sciences Center, Winnipeg Manitoba performed Jackie’s mastectomy and immediate reconstruction surgery and strive to do so for every woman with breast cancer in Manitoba who needs it.
The positive outcome and gratitude Jackie feels for everyone who supported her and her family throughout the ordeal, led her, with the support of her husband Doug and close friends, to create Keeping Abreast.
Growing Generosity
The first event in May 2007 was an overwhelming success, raising over $26,000 for CancerCare Manitoba and breast cancer research. The May 2008 event raised a phenomenal $100,000!
That year, Keeping Abreast partnered with the Health Sciences Centre Foundation to raise funds specifically for breast cancer reconstruction surgery research & education. All donations to Keeping Abreast now go directly to the HSC Foundation.
One notable breast cancer survivor and reconstruction patient, Karyn Lazareck has very generously pledged her support of Keeping Abreast with a pledge of $9,000 per year for 4 years!
With other donations throughout the year, including ones from Winnipeg Women Magazine and Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association, and funds raised at the KA giant garage sale, the total funds raised in 2008 topped $140,000!
Through the HSC Foundation, Dr. Buchel is using the funds to purchase computers for support staff and some state-of-the-art surgical and monitoring equipment. He is also creating a website for breast cancer reconstruction patients. Please check soon for a link to his new site.
Check out the video at winnipegwomen.net of Dr. Ed Buchel in the Operating Room demonstrating some of the surgical and patient monitoring equipment purchased by Keeping Abreast.
Thank you Glenn Tinley and Winnipeg Women Magazine!
